Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health

On 23 March, the Minister for Health announced the establishment of the Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health (the Advisory Panel)

Page last updated: 27 February 2019

PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health Reports

The PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health produced two reports – the first is the ‘Reform and System Transformation: A Five Year Horizon for PHNs’ which was distributed to PHNs on the 4th January 2019 and the second is ‘The report of the PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health’ which was released on 27 February 2019.

About the Panel

On 23 March, the Minister for Health announced the establishment of the Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health (the Advisory Panel). The advisory Panel will serve five main functions:

To consider and provide advice regarding the guidelines for mental health commissioning issued to the 31 PHNs and oversee the development of a Framework for Primary Health Network mental health commissioning, noting that commissioning is a cyclical process of local consultation, local design and local solutions.

To oversee an analysis of the 2016/17 Department of Health-approved needs assessments and mental health plans developed by the 31 PHNs.

Following the analysis, provide advice to the Minister for Health on strategies to support the 31 PHNs to efficiently and effectively carry out their commissioning responsibilities in mental health.

Provide recommendations to the Minister for Health about the optimal system architecture and arrangements for supporting the role of PHNs in ongoing mental health reform.

Provide guidance for peak bodies and Colleges on how their members can engage with the PHN commissioning process.